Method of forming a light diffusing element



Feb. 13, 1940.- J. FREI, JR 2,189,860

METHOD OF FORMING A LIGHT DIFFUSING ELEMENT Original Filed April 8, 1936 Patented Felt; :13, l940 l s I f" METHQD OF FQRMING A LIGHT DIFFUSIN G Y ELEIWENT 1 Claim. lot nn-85) My invention relates to light transmitting and in a plastic condition, it is inserted into a mold diffusing elements and to the method of producor press iii, which mold or press has die surfaces tion thereof. I p v 1 in the form of the object it is desired to form on More specifically the present invention has for the end of the rod. Closing of the mold will serve 5 its principalobject the provision of a new and to engage the die surfaces thereof with the improved method of forming the light diffusing globule; and thereby form it into the desired element integrally with the light transmitting object. element. l v Mold ill may be of any suitable or preferred Other features and advantages of the invenform. In the form shown, it consists simply of tion will appear from the following detailed dei an upper section ll anda lower section [2. These 10 scription, when taken in connection with the sections are hinged togcther'as indicated at l3, accompanying drawing, in which: and-the upper section is provided with a handle Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of a it for moving such Sec o relatively light transmitting element adapted to have a lower section. Preferably, the actual die of the light diffusing element formed integrally theremold, as indicated by the dotted lines I5, is split with; substantially centrally thereof, one half being Figure 2 is a diagrammaticview showing the carried by the upper mold section II, and the application of heat to one end of the light transother half being" carried by the lower mold secmittin-g element of Figure l, as one of the steps tion it. This assures that the object formed in the method of, forming the light diffusing eleon the end of the rod will have its center, indiment integrally with thelight transmitting elecated at 6; disposed at some point on the axis ment; l l of the rod, as indicated by the line A-A in Fig- Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a form of ure 5. As stated, the die ,of the mold will, of mold or press adapted to embrace one end of the course, have the configuration of the object to be light transmitting element, as another step in formed. In the embodiment shown, the object the method of forming the light diffusing eleis star-shaped, as indicated at ll. ment thereon; I The rod l is permitted to remain in the mold Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational quntil the object, being formed in the plastic glass view, on an enlarged scale, of a light transmitting thereon, has cooled sufiiciently to enable it to and diffusing element embodying the principles retain the desired shape, After removal from 30 of the present invention; 7 the mold, the object then has its surfaces Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken subground or sand-blasted, or otherwise treated, to stantially along the line, 5-5 of Figure 4; and render it light diffusing. As indicated in Figure Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing one .6, the object may, if desired, be dipped into a 5 method of providing a diffusing surface on the tank I8 containing a suitable. known frosting light diffusing element. liquid!!! therein, which liquid depositsa light Referring now in detail to the drawing, it is diffusing coating on the object. This latter known that light rays suitably introduced into method of rendering the object light difiusing is one end of a glass rod will be transmitted longipreferable, as it is more rapid andiconvenient.

40 tudinally therethrough and will illuminate an Having thus described the invention, what I 40 l object at the other end thereof when such object claim is: I H i is translucent, as by being ground or frosted, to The method of forming alight diffusing obrender it light diffusing. To practice my invenject on one end of a solid glass rod whereby rays tion, therefore, I first take a glass rod 1 and cut of light transmitted axially through said rod will it to its required length. This rod may beformed be difiusedby said object which comprises the 45 of ordinary commercial glass, and it is of subfollowing steps: forming a coherent solid plastic stantially constant diameter throughout its mass of glass on one end of the rod by the applilength, l cation of heat only, inserting saidglass mass into As shown in Figure 2, one end of this rod is a mold, pressing the object in its desired form in some other known or preferred manner, to providing said cooled object with a light difform a globule or mass of plastic glass 9, at such fusing surface.

end of therod. While the globule of glass is still JOHN FREI, JR.

0 then inserted into a flame 8, or subjected to heat from said mass, cooling the object so formed, and 

